BBC Good Food

The do’s and don’ts of a vegetarian diet

As a vegetarian, it’s simple to avoid eating meat but it’s not always so easy to spot the non-veggie ingredients that are added to foods. Don’t get caught out by hidden ingredients. Always check the label!

Breakfast cereals

Do check the ingredients list as some have been known to include beef gelatine. Dorset Cereals, Rude Health and Pertwood Organics ranges are all certified suitable for vegetarians.

• Use it in this Thai coconut and vegetable recipe

Worcestershire Sauce

Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce contains anchovies. Instead, try Lancashire Sauce or Henderson’s Relish.

Pastry

Ready-made pastry can contain ingredients such as lard. Marks & Spencer’s Shortcrust Pastry and Waitrose Cooks Ingredients Puff Pastry Sheets are both suitable for vegetarians. For vegans, try Jus-Rol Puff Pastry (Frozen) Sheets, available in most major supermarkets. Most filo pastry is suitable for vegetarians, but do check the label.

• Use it in this mushroom and spinach tart recipe

Crisps

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